Sam Kelly, a Manchester-born comedian, possessed a remarkable gift for timing and observation. His forte lay in portraying decrepit, rheumy characters, often older than his actual age. Among his many endearing impressions on the small screen, he is most fondly remembered for his roles as the illiterate crook 'Bunny' Warren in Porridge (1974) and the inept German officer Hans Geering in 'Allo 'Allo! (1982),where he famously abbreviated the Nazi salute to a shout of "Tler!" sounding like 'klop' or 'club' to many ears.
Kelly's expressive features also suited a diverse array of Dickensian characters, including the timid Mr. Snagsby in Masterpiece Theatre: Bleak House (1985),the undertaker Mr. Mould in Martin Chuzzlewit (1994),the kindly manservant Giles in Oliver Twist (1999),and the grocer Cudlipp in John Sullivan's ITV adaptation Micawber (2001).
In his own words, Kelly might have been content running a village post office. Prior to his acting career, he worked as a clerk in the Liverpool civil service before enrolling at the London Academy of Dramatic Arts at the age of twenty. He graduated in 1967 and then acted in regional repertory theatre for five years. Subsequently, he made frequent appearances at London's West End, the Old Vic, and the Royal Court in plays ranging from "The Odd Couple" and "HMS Pinafore" to "War and Peace".
Throughout his career, Kelly preferred the stage, allowing him to occasionally take on serious roles, while regular television work paid the bills. His dramatic performance as a sorrowful bachelor facing retirement in "Grief" (2011) at the National Theatre was said to have been his best.
In 1977, Kelly co-founded the Croydon Warehouse Theatre, which operated until its closure due to financial and structural problems in 2012.
